Syrian Authorities Refer Officials to Justice Over Detainee Death
A high-level investigative committee established by the Syrian Minister of Interior has announced that formal legal proceedings are underway against several security personnel following the death of a detainee in Latakia. The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the death of Mohamed Ghumaira, a young man who suffered from hemophilia, while in the custody of the Al-Haffa police station.
During a press conference held in Latakia on Thursday, Major General Ahmed Latouf, Assistant Minister of Interior for Police Affairs, confirmed that the investigation determined procedural failures and instances of physical mistreatment during the victim’s detention. According to the committee’s findings, Ghumaira had notified internal security personnel of his chronic condition, yet he did not receive the specialized care required for his medical profile. The report specifically noted that a member of the investigative team struck the detainee in the neck, an action that failed to account for his fragile medical state.
As a result of these findings, the investigator identified as Ahmed Jawad has been referred to the Public Prosecution in Latakia. Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior has initiated expanded disciplinary and legal investigations into the conduct of the head of the Al-Haffa department, Captain Ahmed Shaker al-Masri, and investigator Omar Youssef. The committee emphasized that all individuals found responsible for negligence or physical abuse will face justice.
Regarding the medical cause of death, Major General Latouf stated that clinical experts concluded that the death resulted from complications of a brain hemorrhage consistent with hemophilia. The committee clarified that initial reports of injuries, such as a laceration on the forehead and abdominal markings, were related to medical treatment received at the Latakia University Hospital and chronic side effects from long-term cortisone therapy. The report explicitly stated that forensic examinations showed no signs of external trauma or skull fractures, attributing the fatal internal bleeding to the detainee’s pre-existing condition exacerbated by the environment of the detention.
The Director of the Criminal Security Department, Brigadier General Hussein al-Hammadi, acknowledged lapses in procedure, noting that the official records failed to document Ghumaira’s medical history. Osama Shnaq, the Advocate General in Latakia, affirmed that the judicial process would be expedited to ensure accountability.
Addressing the broader implications of the case, Brigadier General Samer al-Hussein, a legal and human rights advisor to the Minister of Interior, asserted that the rights of all citizens must be upheld. He stated that while the state enforces measures to restrict the freedom of detainees, those individuals remain under the protection of the authorities, and such custody must not violate their personal dignity. He added that the ministry is committed to ongoing training programs for security personnel to ensure that operations align with established professional standards.
